Opinion: World Animal Day

POSTED: 10/4/12 12:45 PM

World Animal Day is based on the life of the Saint Franciscus van Assisi, who was born in 1182 in Italy, as the son of a rich merchant.
As Franciscus became older, he encountered many problems in his life, he became seriously ill and was also in jail for twelve months. These events changed his life.
He decided to take care of and dedicate his life to animals and nature.
Franciscus became a special friend of animals, flowers, trees and everything that nature has to offer.
He died on October 4, 1226 at the age of 44.
Two years after Franciscus’ death, he was declared a saint at the Animal Protecting Congress in 1929 in Vienna and his day of death was declared World Animal Day, because he was such a big animal friend.
On October 4, 1930 World Animal Day was celebrated for the first time.

Today October 4, is a special day:
• to celebrate animal life in all its forms;
• to celebrate humankind’s relationship with the animal kingdom;
• to acknowledge and appreciate the various roles that animals play in our lives – from being our companions, to supporting and helping us, to bringing a sense of wonder in our lives;
• to acknowledge and be thankful for the way in which animals enrich our lives.

Today is also a reminder that we should all be kind to animals. Everybody can do a little thing to help an animal or to just be kind to an animal, even if you don’t have animals yourself.
If you do have animals, please make sure to provide them with their basic needs, such water, food, shade and shelter, and attention. Do not chain your animals 24/7! Have them exercise on a regular basis.
Have your animals sterilized to prevent overpopulation and suffering of stray animals.
If you do not have animals yourself, be kind to the stray animals in your area by giving them some food.
If you are planning on having an animal, please consider adoption instead of breeding or buying, there are lovely animals of all kinds waiting for a good home.
If you are driving on the road and you see that an animal is (trying to) cross(ing) the road, please stop and give it a chance to cross.
If you see an injured or sick animal or you know about animal abuse in your area, please contact one of the Animal Foundations or one of the veterinarians.
These examples are small things that you can do to be kind to animals.
Remember:”The greatness of a nation,” said Mahatma Gandhi, “can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”